Brief info
Alphonso "Poncho" Moran (sometimes spelled "Alfonso") remains one of the lesser-known Florida Highwaymen painters. Limited information is available about Moran, as only a few of his artworks have been positively identified. According to individuals who were acquainted with him and shared their insights with various researchers, including The Highwaymen Trail, an organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Highwaymen painters, Moran's relative obscurity can be attributed to his proficiency in pool playing and gambling. It is believed that he earned considerably more money through these pursuits than he did from his paintings, leading him to prioritize them over his artistic endeavors.
Moran was born in Vero Beach, Fla. on October 14, 1930. It is believed that he relocated to Gifford, Fla. during his childhood with his mother and three siblings, where he attended Gifford High School. Information about his early years and the development of his interest in painting remains scarce. However, those familiar with his association with the Highwaymen claim that he was a friend of Alfred Hair, one of the artists responsible for organizing the group. According to individuals who knew them during the Highwaymen's early days, including Dorothea Hair Truesdale, Alfred Hair's widow, Moran likely started by crafting frames for the group. Over time, he progressed to learning the "fast painting" technique of the Highwaymen from artist Harold Newton. Due to his older age compared to most members of the group, and his reputation as a gambler and pool player, Moran was not well-known by many of his fellow Highwaymen. The parents of the younger painters discouraged close associations with him.